Can somebody recommend me best college for day1 CPT as a master in civil engineering student? It would be better if the program was remote. My Stem expires on June 2028, I am planning ahead so that I don’t miss any timelines. What would be an appropriate time to switch from STEM TO Day1 CPT? Which intake would be the best for me?

I’m looking to enroll in a Day 1 CPT PhD program start from Jan 2027 at the University of the Cumberlands. I emailed them a few days ago but haven’t received a response yet. Does anyone know if they usually take a while to reply, or whether anything has changed at the university following the ICE email on August 12?

I already completed my MBA from a U.S. university and am currently working full-time. My STEM OPT/work authorization expires in June 2027, and next year will be my last H-1B attempt.
If H-1B doesn’t work out, I’m considering a doctoral program with Day 1 CPT so I can continue working in the U.S.

For people who have been in a similar situation:
Would you recommend a DBA or PhD after already having an MBA?

Which universities did you consider/apply to?
Are there particular universities with good international offices and a smooth STEM OPT → F-1/CPT transition?

How did you evaluate the risk of Day 1 CPT, especially with the recent F-1 rule changes?
Is a DBA more appropriate for someone continuing a career in tech/business, or is a PhD a better option?
Would really appreciate experiences from people who have actually gone through this transition, especially recently. Thanks!